Life

Life

Year: 2015

Runtime: 111 min

Language: Spanish

Director: Anton Corbijn

BiographyDrama

A team of scientists aboard the International Space Station makes a startling discovery: an ancient organism from Mars, capable of wiping out all life on Earth. As the organism begins to grow and spread, the crew faces a desperate fight for survival, struggling to contain the threat before it can reach our planet and trigger a global extinction event in the unforgiving environment of space.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Life yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – Life (2015)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Life (2015). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

30 years of ISS operation

The events of the movie take place aboard the ISS after three decades of its operational existence. During this time, significant advancements in science and technology have occurred, alongside increased investment in space exploration, pushing the boundaries of human knowledge and capability in the cosmos.

Location

International Space Station (ISS)

The International Space Station (ISS) is a remarkable microgravity laboratory where research and experiments are conducted in an environment beyond Earth's atmosphere. Known for its international collaboration, the ISS serves as a platform for scientific advancements and the exploration of humanity's reach into outer space.

🚀 Space Station 🌌 Outer Space

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:44

Main Characters – Life (2015)

Meet the key characters of Life (2015), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Rory Adams (Robert Pattinson)

Rory Adams is an adventurous astronaut and engineer who demonstrates remarkable bravery and resourcefulness. His willingness to risk his life to secure the capsule showcases his dedication to the mission and his crewmates, though it also sets off a chain of events leading to unforeseen consequences.

👨‍🚀 Astronaut 🛠️ Engineer ❤️ Heroism

Hugh Derry (Dane DeHaan)

Hugh Derry is an exobiologist whose life revolves around the exploration of alien life forms. His challenges stem from reviving Calvin, with his ambition leading to both groundbreaking discoveries and horrifying outcomes, reflecting the risks inherent in scientific exploration.

🧑‍🔬 Scientist 🔬 Exobiologist ⚡ Curiosity

Katerina Golovkina (Olga Dihovichnaya)

Mission commander Katerina Golovkina is a resolute leader whose determination is tested under extreme pressure. As she fights against Calvin, her resilience and courage highlight the trials faced by leaders in high-stakes environments.

👩‍🚀 Commander 💪 Leadership 🚀 Spacewalker

David

David is a seasoned astronaut who grapples with the physical repercussions of prolonged space travel. His experience plays a crucial role in the crew’s strategies, showcasing the sacrifices and vulnerabilities that come with space missions.

👨‍🚀 Veteran 🚀 Astronaut 👟 Endurance

Miranda North (Rebecca Ferguson)

As a key crew member, Miranda North displays poise and intelligence amidst chaos. Her character's journey reflects the emotional and moral dilemmas faced during survival scenarios in hostile environments.

👩‍🚀 Crew Member 🧠 Intelligence 🔎 Analytical

Sho Murakami (Hiroyuki Sanada)

Sho Murakami is a dedicated astronaut integral to the crew's mission. His commitment to the safety and success of the operation underscores the collaborative efforts in the harsh realities of space exploration.

👨‍🚀 Team Player 🌌 Space Explorer 🤝 Cooperation

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:44

Major Themes – Life (2015)

Explore the central themes of Life (2015), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🧬 Extraterrestrial Life

The theme of extraterrestrial life is central to the film, highlighting the dangers and wonders of contact with unknown organisms from beyond Earth. As the crew engages with Calvin, the ramifications of reviving alien life form explore humanity's quest for knowledge and the potential consequences that arise from it.

🚨 Survival

Survival is a critical theme as the crew faces dire circumstances against Calvin's rapid evolution and hostility. Their struggle to escape the threats posed by an alien life force emphasizes human resilience, resourcefulness, and the instinct to survive in the face of overwhelming odds.

🔒 Containment

The theme of containment emerges as the crew grapples with the need to control the life-form that poses a lethal risk. This struggle raises questions about the ethics of bioengineering and the measures necessary to ensure safety in environments where nature's unpredictability intersects with human intervention.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:44

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

High-Tension Space Survival Horror Movies Like Life

Desperate fights for survival against alien threats in the unforgiving void of space.If you liked the desperate, claustrophobic struggle for survival in Life, you'll find more movies with a similar vibe here. These films feature small crews or individuals facing nightmarish alien organisms or environmental disasters in space, where the tension is high and the stakes are extinction-level.

claustrophobicanxiousdesperateominoussurvival horrorscientific hubriscosmic dreadcontainment failure

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern typically follows a linear, cause-and-effect structure beginning with a momentous discovery that quickly spirals into a containment crisis. The story is a steady escalation of threats as the characters, often scientists or astronauts, attempt to outthink and outmaneuver a superior force, with survival hinging on teamwork and sacrifice that often proves tragically insufficient.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here because they share a core experience of high-stakes survival in an isolated, high-tech setting against an intelligent and adaptable alien antagonist. The shared mood is one of claustrophobic anxiety, scientific hubris, and the grim realization of humanity's fragility in the cosmos.

Bleak Containment Failure Thrillers Similar to Life

Stories where a contained threat spirals out of control, leading to tragic consequences.For viewers who appreciated the escalating disaster and tragic ending of Life, this section collects movies with similar narratives of containment failure. These films often involve a small group in an isolated location desperately trying to stop a deadly contagion or entity from reaching the wider world.

containment failuresinisterdesperatebody horrortraumatic isolationpandemicparanoiatragic

Narrative Summary

The narrative journey is defined by a initial period of controlled study that gives way to panic as the threat breaches its confines. The plot is driven by a series of escalating failures and sacrifices, often highlighting themes of human error and hubris. The emotional arc is heavy, moving from cautious optimism to desperate survival, typically culminating in a bleak or ambiguous ending where the threat is not fully defeated.

Why These Movies?

These movies are united by their core premise: a deadly, uncontrollable force that must be contained at all costs. They share a tense, ominous mood, a steady pacing that builds dread, and a profound sense of tragedy as safety measures collapse. The experience is one of watching a preventable disaster unfold in real time.

Unlock the Full Story of Life

Don't stop at just watching — explore Life in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Life is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Life Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Life, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Life Summary

Life Timeline

Track the full timeline of Life with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Life Timeline

Life Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Life that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Life Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Life

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Life: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Life

Similar Movies to Life

Discover movies like Life that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.